Friends of the Everglades

What Friends of the Everglades does

Friends of the Everglades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization (EIN 23-7099893) founded in 1969 by author and activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas to oppose construction of the proposed Everglades Jetport. Headquartered in Stuart, Florida with a secondary office in Miami, the organization pursues its mission to preserve, protect, and restore the Everglades ecosystem through three primary levers: advocacy and legislative accountability (including a Florida legislative monitoring platform and SMS/email action alerts during the 60-day session), scientific-policy litigation (most notably the 2025-2026 Alligator Alcatraz lawsuits culminating in facility closure), and youth and public education (Young Friends of the Everglades field-trip program, Exploration Kits, the Everglades Edudome Experience, the Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholars Program offering $10,000 scholarships, and the Everglades Handbook reference resource).

Name

Friends of the Everglades

Legal name

Friends of the Everglades

Website

https://everglades.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of the Everglades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas that protects and restores the Everglades through advocacy, litigation, and youth education programs serving South Florida communities, donors, and policymakers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation
• Ecosystem restoration
• Conservation advocacy
• Wetlands protection
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Primary revenue source through one-time and recurring donations from individuals passionate about Everglades protection. Donation amounts range from $50 to $1,000+ with options for monthly recurring contributions.
2. Marjory's Circle Membership: Annual membership program with tiers: Contributor ($1,200), Supporter ($2,500), Champion ($5,000), Patron ($10,000). Provides exclusive benefits including Everglades experiences, event discounts, insider updates, and recognition in annual report.
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Society: River of Grass Legacy Society recognizes individuals who include Friends of the Everglades in their estate plans through wills, trusts, life income gifts, or beneficiary designations. Generates future revenue through bequests and planned gifts.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including hats ($30), hoodies ($49.95), prints ($25), and sticker packs ($10). Revenue from apparel and educational merchandise.
5. Third-Party Fundraising Events: Community-organized events (car washes, golf tournaments, 5K walks/runs, yoga events) where Friends of the Everglades is beneficiary. Net revenue after expenses is donated to the organization.
6. Maggy Hurchalla Opportunity Fund: Named fund honoring Maggy Hurchalla's legacy, accepting contributions ($5,000, $10,000) for advocacy efforts to protect wetlands and green spaces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Friends of the Everglades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1969 by author and activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The organization's core work centers on advocacy, public education, and litigation aimed at protecting, restoring, and expanding the greater Everglades ecosystem in South Florida.

Product overview

Friends of the Everglades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The organization operates primarily as an environmental advocacy and education organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include the Young Friends of the Everglades youth education program (featuring the Everglades Edudome Experience, In-House Field Trips, and Exploration Kits), the Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholars Program, and the Everglades Handbook educational resource. The organization also provides legislative accountability tools, the Everglades Defense Fund for legal advocacy, interactive ecosystem maps (Historic, Altered, and Restored Flow Maps), the Everglades Glossary, and a comprehensive visitor guide. Membership programs include Marjory's Circle donor alliance, River of Grass Legacy Society planned giving, and the Maggy Hurchalla Opportunity Fund. Additional offerings include merchandise through its shop, annual legacy celebration events, and video series content. The organization leverages platforms like EveryAction/FastAction for donations and advocacy actions, YouTube for video content distribution, and various Google tools for volunteer and educational program registrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Friends of the Everglades: Youth education program teaching children about the Everglades, igniting passion for nature and conservation, and fostering a lifelong love for the environment.
• Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholars Program

Products and services

• Marjory's Circle Membership
• River of Grass Legacy Society
• Maggy Hurchalla Opportunity Fund
• Merchandise Shop
• The Everglades Handbook
• In-House Field Trips
• Everglades Edudome Experience
• Young Friends of the Everglades
• Annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration
• Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholars Program Named scholarship program for students pursuing environmental studies and Everglades-focused learning opportunities, in memory of Karen Mashburn.
• Everglades Defense Fund Restricted legal action fund that finances lawsuits and other legal challenges against projects or policies determined to threaten the Everglades ecosystem.
• Exploration Kits Hands-on educational kits provided to teachers and students to support place-based learning about Everglades ecology in classroom and field settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully halted the Everglades Jetport project in 1969-1970, leading to creation of Big Cypress National Preserve and National Environmental Policy Act
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, mangrove and minor.

• Miami-Dade CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced June 25, 2026 intent to integrate the Alligator Alcatraz site land into the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. County is defendant in lawsuit but also potential ally in permanent protection of the site.
• Center for Biological DiversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2025Co-plaintiff in landmark lawsuit filed June 27, 2025 against Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Florida Division of Emergency Management, and Miami-Dade County to halt environmental catastrophe at Alligator Alcatraz site. Filed notice of intent to sue citing federal and state failures to protect wetlands and endangered wildlife.
• Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal ally that joined Friends of the Everglades' lawsuit as co-plaintiff against the Alligator Alcatraz detention center. Tribal elder Betty Osceola led protests at the site entrance. Shared mission to protect Everglades from environmental harm.
• The Land Trust of Dade CountymangroveStrategic or Co-development PartnerMangrove-level sponsor working to protect and preserve natural lands in Dade County, aligning with Everglades protection goals.
• Hold the Line CoalitionmangroveStrategic or Co-development PartnerMangrove-level sponsor coalition working to prevent extension of the Urban Development Boundary into the Everglades.
• Edudome Experience PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners including OdysseyEarth for film production supporting the Everglades Edudome Experience, an immersive virtual tour of the Everglades delivered to schools through the Edudome.
• Everglades CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-organizational coalition working to protect and restore the Everglades. Friends of the Everglades participates in coalition activities including Everglades Action Day in Tallahassee.
• Fifty50minorOthersVendor providing table centerpieces for the annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration event.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency managing Everglades National Park. Friends of the Everglades advocates for protection of park resources and works on ranger-led programs and visitor services.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency involved in wildlife management in Everglades and surrounding areas including Wildlife Management Areas.
• Seminole Tribe of FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation with lands in the Everglades region, referenced as a key stakeholder in Everglades restoration efforts.
• Everglades OutpostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife refuge in Homestead, FL recommended as a destination for visitors exploring the Everglades area.

Scale indicators7 records

Broad incumbents

• Earthjustice: Premier public-interest environmental law organization running precedent-setting litigation for nonprofit partners. Comparable in that its litigation model is the same approach FOE deploys against Everglades threats, but at national scale across many causes.
• Sierra Club: Largest grassroots environmental organization in the U.S. with an active Florida chapter. Overlaps with FOE on Everglades advocacy but operates broadly across climate, wildlands, and energy issues nationwide.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation organization focused on imperiled species and habitat policy. Comparable mission of protecting habitat through advocacy and litigation but operates across species and geographies, not Everglades-specific.
• National Wildlife Federation: Largest private nonprofit conservation organization in the U.S., covering wetlands, wildlife, and education nationally. Shares donor-supported advocacy and youth education programs with FOE but at much greater scale.
• Natural Resources Defense Council: Major environmental advocacy organization combining science, policy, and litigation across climate, water, and wildlife. Comparable toolset to FOE but operating nationally and globally with a much larger staff and budget.
• National Parks Conservation Association: Nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing U.S. National Parks, including Everglades National Park. Shares advocacy, education, and donor-supported missions but its scope spans 400+ national parks rather than one ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Center for Biological Diversity: Active FOE co-plaintiff in the Alligator Alcatraz lawsuit, using scientific research, advocacy, and aggressive litigation to protect endangered species and habitats. Matches FOE on toolset (litigation + science) and willingness to sue federal/state defendants.
• Audubon Florida: State-level Audubon chapter focused on Florida bird and habitat conservation, including the Everglades. Comparable on geographic focus, advocacy approach, and named recognition award programs (e.g., Audubon of the Everglades Conservation Award).
• Everglades Foundation: Everglades-focused nonprofit pursuing science-based restoration of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem through research, advocacy, and education. Directly comparable on mission geography, scientific program mix, and donor-supported advocacy model.
• Everglades Coalition: Coalition of 60+ organizations (of which FOE is a member) dedicated to Everglades protection and restoration. Operates Action Days and joint advocacy on the same policy agenda that drives FOE's legislative and litigation work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCK_DdoyUXs3H0imJiDcyPNQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsoftheeverglades
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsoftheeverglades
• Xx.com/FoEverglades
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-everglades-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Everglades